Going to University and being a Christian

the christian and technology

computers and technology brings many useful things and knowledge, we can not have dreamed possible before the advent of modern technology such as computers, tablets, smartphones and the internet.

you have a device in your pocket that can access all the information ever known, technology helps us to do our jobs, technology helps us talk to people 1000s of miles away in other counties, In the below video J John talks about technology and the use of technology in a Christian Context

Technology is everywhere more and more people are using it, we spend more time these days looking at screens on computers tablets and mobile phones, we can not get away from it, in a article on

Stress: Before technology and smartphones, when you left your place of work or learning, you most likely turned off the thoughts and emails related to it, too. Research shows we need mental breaks to refresh our minds and thoughts. In order to do so and leave our work behind, we need to shut off the continuous stresses of our work or classes. By staying constantly connected, we lose that boundary and end up taking it home with us. When you don’t give yourself time to be without emails, texts, and social media and to be present in the other parts of your life, you end up allowing yourself to stay in a constant state of stress.

Depression: Using computers, phones, social media, etc. late into the night, especially after using them all day, is shown to increase depressive thoughts and symptoms, as well as decrease one’s amount of healthy sleep. Bringing technology into the evening hours prevents us from encouraging our minds to be at ease and getting the sleep our bodies and minds need.

Inactivity: Spending too much time on electronic devices does not leave room for going outside, socializing, or exercising. However, exercise can reduce stress levels, it’s good for the body, and it promotes a better night’s sleep. So it’s no surprise that when we are constantly on a phone, tablet, or laptop, we are more likely to isolate ourselves rather than be active and out and about, which has far-reaching benefits for physical and mental health.

More and more people as using social media, talking to friends on a computer with no physical social interaction. we all need to spend physical time with people, it is in our DNA, it is how we were wired, we need people as John Donne puts it

No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as any manner of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man’s death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

20 million active users (70 million total users)
Social site that is all about discovery
Largest opportunities are in decor, crafts/diy, cooking, health, and fashion
Users are 17% male and 83% female

Twitter:

241 million active users (over 600 million total users)
micro blogging social site that limits posts to 140 characters
largest penetration in the US but spreading slowly and steadily
5,700 tweets happen every second

Facebook:

Social sharing site that has over 1 billion users worldwide
Largest opportunities communicating with consumers in a non-obtrusive way
Users share 1 million links every 20 minutes

Instagram:

200 million active users:
Social sharing site all around pictures and now 15 second videos
Many brands are participating through the use of hashtags and posting pictures consumers can relate to
Most followed brand is National Geographic

Google+:

540 million active users
Social network built by Google that allows for brands and users to build circles
Not as many brands active but the ones that are tend to be a good fit with a great following
25 – 35 year olds are most active

LinkedIn

300 Million users
Business oriented social networking site

also With technology children and teenagers can have access to things they should not be seeing such as porn etc, parents should find out what their children and teens are doing,

they should find out about computers and internet, and educate your children to the dangers and security (i.e being careful what the they share about them selves on line, viruses, computer fraud, etc) and put filters on their computers,

it also goes for computer games parents need to be responsible to check the games are suitable for the child they are buying it for and know what the computer game is about and themes it covers.

It is not just teenagers and children adults need also to be responsible in their technology usage social media and internet usage, don’t assume anything is secure, keep peoples Confidentiality don’t share anything about other people, have Courtesy and respect when leaving comments so you are being a good witness, on the internet no body really knows who you are be aware of computer fraud, crime and scams, get educated,remember if it is too good to believe it is a con, don’t be taken in

The Ten Commandments of computer ethics:-

Do not use a computer to harm others

Do not interfere with other people’s computer work.

Do not snoop around in other people’s computer files.

Do not use a computer to steal.

Do not use a computer to bear false witness

Do not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.

Do not use other people’s computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.

Do not appropriate other people’s intellectual output.

Do think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.

Do always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans.

• Would I be happy for my Mum to read this?
• Would I be happy for God to read this?
• Would I be happy for my worst enemy to read this?
• Would I be happy with this on the front page of a national newspaper?

what your mother teaches you about being a good citizen in the real world goes, in the virtual world of the internet is it true, also think and ask yourself when you post anything, is it helpful, am I being a good witness sharing it,

also think how much time you are taking on-line or using technology and ask yourself a question if you saw a friend taking this much time on-line would I be concerned about them, if the answer is yes maybe you need a break and downtime.